SISTER LAKES — With drumsticks in hand and tennis shoes laced, a group of 40 people gathered in Countryside Academy’s gym — but this was not a drum session. It was Sister Lakes Cardio Drumming.  

Cardio drumming is a full cardio workout and stress reliever, said the group’s founder, Tonya Melton. It involves using drumsticks to hit an exercise ball, which is held in place by an 18-gallon storage tub with handles. 

Melton has been cardio drumming for four years now. A friend dragged her to a class and she found it fun, despite hating working out, she said. At that time, Sister Lakes and Dowagiac did not have anything like it. Melton, who lived near Sister Lakes Community Church, 67119 M-152, Dowagiac, asked to use the church’s facility and started teaching her own class. Although the church is not affiliated with the group, Melton said she is grateful they believed in her and the vision she had for the community. 

To get the word out, Melton started a Facebook page called Sister Lakes Cardio Drumming, which started off with 100 followers, mostly friends Melton had invited. Currently, the page has more than 750 members and class sizes ranging from 50 to 60 people. 

“In the beginning, it was just people coming and then inviting their friends,” Melton said. “Everyone has just really come together to support each other and our journey of becoming happier and healthier.”

A majority of the participants are women, but men can get involved, too.  

“We have two male leaders that help instruct the class,” Melton said. “We have people of every age. We have little kids that drum, people who sit in a chair because their back hurts. We have people of all shapes, sizes and ages.”

The classes encourage anyone to participate, regardless of fitness level or health goals. 

“It’s not all about weight loss,” said Jodi Nestich, a cardio drumming teacher in Cass County. “One of the biggest things that makes it so strong and keeps it growing is that there is so much more involved than losing weight. It’s the support system that makes such a big difference.”

Nestich attended cardio drumming classes that Melton taught. The pair, who are both transplants to the Sister Lakes area, became good friends, supporting each other through their individual journeys. Nestich enjoyed leading so much, she began hosting her own classes in Cass County a year ago. 

“It’s just been a great experience to be involved in the movement,” Nestich said. “To support people who all have that same mindset to being happier and healthier, get to that point.”

Before classes even begin, the two rules of cardio drumming are announced: One, to have fun and two, to keep moving. 

Melton’s goal is to own her own facility and offer classes every day of the week, but she has remained grateful for the venues that support the group. 

“One thing we’ve realized when we’ve been kind of displaced and have to go to different places, is that Sister Lakes Cardio Drumming is not a building, it’s the people,” Melton said. “Even when we are not in Sister Lakes, people are still following us. It’s the people that make this group so awesome.”

Every class is free, making cardio drumming accessible to anyone, Melton said. Equipment is also provided for newcomers. Additionally, a class schedule is updated regularly on the group’s website, cardiodrums.com. 

Melton encourages anyone with scheduling conflicts to reach out to her, because cardio drumming groups are plentiful in southwest Michigan.

“I’ve just seen a lot of people lifting each other up,” Melton said. “I think is huge for our community to be able to say, ‘You’re doing awesome, and let’s do this together.’ There’s no competition, it’s all of us stronger together.”